This is my second Christie novel, and I really enjoyed it. With many plot twists, new discoveries, and an unsuspected reveal at the end, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat. The detective, Hercule Poirot, is a quirky, charming, and immensely likable character that provides a much needed change to the monotonous english detectives that I so often find in other mystery novels. Truly a great book!

This story introduces Poirot and it's no disappointment with its full characterizations and a complicated plot entailing surprises and a twist ending. Having picked up random copies of Christie, it was fun to recognize how much Poirot has evolved in later novels.

The great aspects of this book are that it's a fast read and keeps you guessing until the end. The problem is it bumbles a lot, and knowing the answer to the mystery makes Poirot seem incredibly erratic. If his actions fit a lot better with the explanation later, I could have accepted it more. That said, it's not a bad debut book. Some of the cultural references were lost on me (and likely most modern readers, since it was written almost a century ago), but it didn't hold me up.

EuSei
Oct 20, 2013

I was curious to read Agatha Christie’s first Poirot novel, which was published in 1920. And I was not disappointed. Midway through the book I was surprised to realize this was one of her first novels… I think Mrs. Christie was born a writer: there is nothing in this book that betrays the novice. She worked as a dispenser in a hospital during WWI, hence, I believe, her knowledge of poisons and the presence of the young nurse’s character in the book. Here you will find the first description of Hercule Poirot, the “little man” with a gigantic intellect and an even larger ego. Inspector James Japp is also first presented to the reader, “a little sharp, dark, ferret-faced man”—physically different from Philip Jackson of the Agatha Christie’s Poirot series, Japp also does not present any of the irritating and almost unintelligible cockney accent Jackson sported. Most definitely this is a must read for any Agatha Christie fan.

AmandaVollmershausen
Apr 22, 2013

Although not a mystery fiction fan, I felt that my reading palette could not be complete without delving into the classics of the genre. My honest reaction was to roll my eyes periodically throughout the novel at the overstated obliviousness of the secondary protagonist (also the narrator) and his failure to grasp the clues given by Poirot, the hero of the story. It all felt very artificial and unoriginal. I didn't find the book to 'pull me in' at all, but it was easy enough to read that I didn't need a lot of motivation to continue. The ending is somewhat satisfying, but I wouldn't read another Agatha Christie novel. I must give credit to the unexpected ending (much more unexpected than I expected, even) that made me appreciate the cleverness of the plot.

A great book, I really enjoyed it. Agatha Christie never ceases to amaze me with her brilliant plots. Definitely worth a look! Also, if you're not familiar with David Suchet's Poirot on BBC, check it out! He is an outstanding Poirot on screen.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is the wonderful debut novel by one of the foremost mystery writers ever, Agatha Christie. It introduces the reader to the clever and eccentric detective, Hercule Poirot.